Drunk Driving

A person who drives with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit is driving drunk. Although there is some debate about the level at which impairment is sufficient to make driving dangerous, drunk driving is illegal in every state. It carries strict punishments intended to discourage people who have been drinking from getting behind the wheel. Jail sentences and mandatory treatment stress the importance of modifying the behavior of repeat offenders to avoid further drunk driving episodes. Because it directly affects the brain’s ability to function properly, the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is an important measure of impairment. Alcohol disrupts communication pathways that affect judgment, coordination, and response time. Because it is a depressant, alcohol can make...